This is a great read!
There are 90 MAJOR fires burning in the western United States right now.
Despite heavy coverage in the mainstream media, however, few outlets are highlighting the link between the blazes and the accelerating climate crisis.
“The fact is that TV news is completely abdicating its responsibility when it comes to telling the truth of what the West is dealing with right now,” says Leah Stokes, assistant professor of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a researcher on climate and energy policy. “This is climate change. It’s not rocket science. And when will the media start calling it that?”
So much information discussed here including the fact that the Cares Act enabled a
massive fossil fuel bailout to fossil fuel companies. .
An update on fires in Oregon.
Just unbelievable.
https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/10/live-updates-oregon-northwest-wildfires/
My heart aches for wildlife, trees, and the families trying to flee. So devastating. ? I hope there is relief soon! The pictures and video coming out of those areas are just horrifyingly sad. It makes me spitting mad that humans have caused this, yet I just want to cry for the Earth.
@avon, I hear you. I feel nausea every time I see snippets of news about it. The stories of people are horrifying, but the wild life... haven't animals suffered enough? It's enough to cry rivers.
Sending my best to you and your family. I'm in Portland and the last few days have had me on edge. We are okay here, but the air quality is literally the worst in the world. And the closest level 2 be ready to evacuate is only 17 miles away. My heart has been heavy with grief for our beautiful state and coast, the animals, the people and the land.
I always appreciate how on top of things you are.
One update to the stats here in Oregon, there are 500k who have either evacuated or are on stand by to potentially evacuate. They haven't all actually evacuated.
Nonetheless, we are on edge here and it is beyond words.
Thanks
I just read that the Gov. of Oregon announced a correction to the 500,000 as also including "on standby" to evacuate. That is a huge difference. Thanks for correcting that number here.
I can't imagine all that you guys are going through. I have been following Cowboy/Cowgirl 911 in Oregon as they attempt to rescue livestock and find places willing to house them. The Paradise CA version of that group was amazing during those fires 2 years ago. They are saving many animals during the fires and gathering up the ones who survive.
I had to share this story.
One of the fires swept through Ashland, Oregon on Tuesday leaving a lot of destruction in its wake. A young man posted this amazing video. He is a musician ( percussionist) and had spent months building his new music studio next to his home. The fire roared through and destroyed all of his neighbors and friends homes. It also destroyed his music studio and the instruments inside. He had been told his home was gone as well, but when he arrived he saw it still standing. Firefighters had dug a fire line 15 feet from his bedroom and it saved his home.
From the ashes he managed to find his vibraphone and mullet bag largely intact. I just watched him playing the vibes surrounded by smokey haze and charred ash of his studio, instruments and once beautiful landscape.
Absolutely surreal. It was sad, yet I sensed some hope too.
His name is Collin Braley and the video can be found on Facebook.
Western Washington is blanketed with smoke from the fires in Oregon and we have hazardous air quality. Everyone is staying inside. We have our own fires burning in Washington, but our hearts are breaking for Oregon, one of the most beautiful of states. We lived in Oregon and can not believe what is happening there. May our higher powers protect the people in harms way in all the West. Pray for rain.